Continuously supplied paint applicator



A ril 16, 1 968 N LAZAR CONTINUOUSLY SUPPLIED PAINT APPLICATOR Filed June 16, 1966 INVENTOR NANDOR LAZAR ATTORN United States Patent 3,378,329 CONTINUOUSLY SUPPLIED PAINT APPLICATOR Nandor Lazar, 1210 Stockley Gardens,

- Norfolk, Va. 23517 Filed June 16, 1966, Ser. No. 558,036 1 Claim. (Cl. 401-218) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A paint applicator including an elongated, upwardly open container carrying a hard paint transfer roller having a circumferential ring element adjacent each end thereof rotatably secured between the container end walls and extending deeply thereinto; and a soft paint applicator roller in light, linear tangential contact with the paint transfer roller except in the vicinity of the ring elements. The paint applicator roller extends beyond one side of the container and a tubular handle extends beyond the other side thereof. Paint flows into the applicator through the handle and a distribution element interconnected therewith to drip upon the rollers at about their line of contact.

This invention relates generally to a paint applicator, and more particularly to an applicator of the cylindrical roller type continuously supplied with paint from a remotely situated reservoir.

The use of brushes in the application of paint to such surfaces as building walls, ship hulls, liquid storage tanks, and the like, has been supplanted to a considerable extent in recent years by the employment of paint applicators of the cylindrical roller type, with which relatively unskilled persons may rapidly obtain results comparable to those attainable with a brush only by skilled artisans. Cylindrical roller paint applicators in common use generally include a graspable handle, as well as means interconnected with the handle carrying an axially rotatable cylindricable roller element disposed substantially perpendicularly to the handle; the cylindrical roller element being covered by a paint absorbent deep pile material, or the like.

The use of the simplest of such cylindrical roller paint applicators necessitates the provision of a separate container substantially rectangular in planform and having a sloped substantially planar lower surface. Paint with which the applicator is to be charged is poured into the container where it forms a pool covering a lower portion of the sloped lower surface of the container. The cylindrical roller element of the paint applicator is dipped into this pool of paint, and the roller element is then rolled up and down on that portion of the sloped lower surface of the container lying above the pool of paint for the purpose of distributing the paint evenly over the cylindrical surface of the roller element. The cylindrical roller element is then rolled back and forth over the surface being painted to deposit the paint evenly and smoothly thereon. Although very good results are obtainable with such equipment and methods, it will be immediately apparent that the consumption of time and effort in frequently adding paint to the container and in assuring the proper distribution of paint over the cylindrical surface of the roller element of the paint applicator is considerable, while a suitable support for the container within easy reach of 3,378,329 Patented Apr. 16, 1968 "ice the user of the paint applicator is often diflicult to provide.

Some of the disadvantages inherent in the use of the simple cylindrical roller paint applicators mentioned hereinbefore have been overcome by the provision of somewhat more complex paint applicators, such as those disclosed in US. Patent No. 2,389,409, granted on Nov. 20, 1945, to J. Brzeski; US. Patent No. 2,424,323, granted on July 22, 1947, to J. H. Millholland; US. Patent No. 2,483,814, granted on Oct. 4, 1949, to B. L. Dean; and US. Patent No. 2,561,162, granted on July 17, 1951, to S. Whitlow. Each of the paint applicators shown in these prior art patents include, in addition to the handle and axially rotatable cylindrical roller element of the simpler roller type paint aplicators, a paint reservoir or tank interconnected with the paint applicator handle and positioned to substantially underlie the rotatable cylindrical roller element when the paint applicator is in use, as well as an axially rotatable cylindrical paint transfer element having a substantially smooth and unyieldable surface in linear tangential contact with the cylindricl roller element and extending downwardly into the paint reservoir. In use, paint is poured into the reservoir to a depth suflicient to partially submerge the cylindrical paint transfer element, and when the cylindrical roller element is rolled back and forth over the surface being painted, causing contrarotation of the cylindrical paint transfer element, paint is picked up by the cylindrical paint transfer element and transferred to the cylindrical roller element at the point of linear tangential contact therebetween, and is then deposited upon the surface being painted by the cylindrical roller element.

The use of these somewhat more complex paint applicators eliminates the necessity of providing in the vicinity of the surface being painted a supporting surface for a separate substantially rectangular container having a sloped lower surface, as well as considerably reducing the time and effort required in coating a given surface area with paint, since the coating of the cylindrical roller element with paint and the subsequent deposit thereof upon the surface being painted is accomplished by one operation rather than the two separate operations required in the use of the simpler cylindrical roller type of paint applicators. One operational drawback that has been found in the use of these somewhat more complex paint applicators, however, is the tendency of the paint-coated cylindrical roller element and the paint-coated cylindrical paint transfer element to stick together to an appreciable degree as a result of the area of contact between these elements being rather large, due to the penetration of the substantially unyieldable surface of the paint transfer element into the yieldable surface of the roller element when sufficient pressure therebetween to assure contrarotation is applied.

When cylindrical roller paint applicators of the types hereinbefore set forth are used in the painting of the large exterior surfaces of building walls, ship hulls, liquid storage tanks, and the like; replenishment of the supply of paint at the painters work station, which is more often than not on scaffolding high above ground level, may be time consuming and hazardous. Accordingly, another type of cylindrical roller paint applicator continuously supplied with paint from a remotely situated paint reservoir, such as those shown in U.S. Patent No. 2,536,291, granted on Jan. 2, 1951, to J. P. Kaitul, and in US. Patent No. 3,030,652, granted on Apr. 24, 1962, to W. A. Whitfield et al., has been provided for the alleviation of this problem. The paint applicators shown in each of the Kaitul and Whitfield et al. patents include, in addition to the pile or like material covered axially rotatable cylindrical roller element interconnected with a graspable handle and disposed substantially perpendicularly thereto, and the substantially unyieldable axially rotatable paint transfer element disposed in substantially tangential linear contact with the cylindrical roller element, which are found in the more complex of the prior art patents mentioned hereinbefore, a flexible conduit connected between a remotely situated paint reservoir and the graspable handle, which is of tubular construction. Paint flows under pressure from the reservoir through the flexible conduit and the tubular graspable handle to the outer surface of the axially rotatable paint transfer element, from which it is then transferred to the cylindrical surface of the cylindrical roller element. The cylindrical roller element and the cylindrical paint transfer element of each of the disclosed continuously supplied paint applicators, however, also tend to stick together for the reason set forth hereinbefore, while the dripping of paint from an applicator of this type due to a flow of paint through the flexible conduit and the tubular handle in excess of requirements may present a problem.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is the provision of a continuously supplied paint applicator of the cylindrical roller type in which the tendency of a paint-coated axially rotatable cylindrical paint applicator roller element and a paint-coated axially contrarotatable cylindrical paint transfer element to stick together is minimized.

Another object of the instant invention is the provision of a paint applicator of the cylindrical roller type continuously supplied with paint from a remotely situated reservoir through a flexible conduit including means to prevent the dripping of paint when the flow of paint from the remotely situated reservoir to the applicator exceeds requirements.

According to the present invention the foregoing and other objects are obtained by providing a paint applicator including a freely axially rotatable cylindrical paint applicator element covered with a paint absorbent deep pile material or the like adapted to be rolled upon a substantially planar surface for the application of paint thereto, and a freely axially contrarotatable cylindrical paint transfer element having a smooth, substantially unyieldable surface positioned in substantially tangential linear contact with the paint applicator element; the paint transfer element being disposed somewhat below the paint applicator element and at a greater distance from the surface be ing painted. The paint transfer element carries a ring member surrounding the cylindrical outer wall thereof adjacent each end thereof adapted to deeply penetrate the deep pile covering of the paint applicator element and prevent excessive contact between the paint applicator element and the paint transfer element when pressure therebetween suflicient to assure contrarotation is applied. The paint applicator further includes an upwardly open elongated liquid paint container disposed wholly below the paint transfer element and partially below the paint ap plicator element; the paint transfer element extending deeply into the container. The paint applicator also includes a graspable, tubular handle member, a flexible conduit extending between the outermost end of the handle member and a remotely situated paint-reservoir, and a paint distribution element extending from the innermost end of the handle member and overlying substantially the entire length of the line of contact between the paint transfer element and the paint applicator element. Paint flowing from the remotely situated reservoir passes through the flexible conduit, thence through the tubular handle member, and then through the paint distribtuion element, from which it drips onto the paint transfer element at about its line of contact with the paint applicator element; excessive 4' paint collecting in the bottom of the liquid paint container until picked up by the paint transfer element.

A more complete appreciation of the invention and many attendant advantages thereof will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the paint applicator of the present invention interconnected for fluid communication with a remotely situated paint reservoir;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the paint applicator of the instant invention with the handle member thereof partially broken away;

FIG. 3 is a sectional, side elevational view of the paint applicator, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional, side elevational view of the paint applicator, taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate the same or identical parts throughout the several views, and more specifically to FIG. 1, there is shown a paint applicator, generally designated by the reference numeral 11, which may be continuously supplied with paint products flowing through a flexible conduit 12 from a remotely situated paint reservoir 13. A conventional valve 14 is placed between paint reservoir 13 and the end of flexible conduit 12 remote from paint applicator 11 which may be utilized to vary or shut off the flow of paint.

Paint applicator 11 includes an operationally horizontally disposed, upwardly open, elongated container, generally designated by the reference numeral 15, having a pair of operationally vertical circular end walls 16 disposed in spaced parallel relation, and a longitudinal Wall 17 extending between the lower portions of the end walls 16. Inasmuch as the end walls 16 are of circular form, the longitudinal wall 17 of container 15 is arcuate in crosssection, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. Obviously, however, container end walls 16 may be other than circular, if desired, and the cross-sectional shape of longitudinal wall 17 may then be modified to conform thereto. The longitudinal container wall 17 on the side thereof intended to be disposed adjacent the planar surface being painted rises a distance equal to about a quarter of the height of container end walls 16, and on the opposite side thereof rises a distance equal to about a half the height of container end walls 16.

An elongated roller support element 18, best seen in FIG. 4, formed of a sheet material sufficiently thick to function as fully set forth hereinafter, is connected by rivets or other suitable means, not shown, to the inner surface of each of the container end walls 16. Each roller support element 18 is provided with an elongated slot 19 preferably formed completely therethrough and extending from one end thereof to a point near the other end thereof. Each roller support element 18 is so mounted on the inner surface of a container end wall 16 that the slots 19 of the spaced roller support elements 18 are disposed in parallel relation; the open end of each slot 19 being situated at the edge of a container end wall 16 intended to be disposed closely adjacent the planar surface being painted in about the plane of the vertical midpoint of the container end wall 16. Each slot 19 extends from the open end thereof in a direction somewhat downwardly and away from the edge of a container end wall 16 intended to be disposed closely adjacent the planar surface being painted, terminating at a point in a horizontal plane situated at about a third of the vertical distance between the lower extremity of container end walls 16 and the upper extremity thereof and in a vertical plane situated at somewhat more than a half of the horizontal distance between the edge of container end walls 16 intended to be (lisposed closely adjacent the planar surface being painted and the opposite edge thereof.

Paint applicator 11 further includes an elongated cylindrical paint transfer roller element, generally designated by the reference numeral 21, having a preferably metallic cylindrical wall 22 closed at each end by a preferably metallic circular end wall 23, as shown in FIG. 3. The cylindrical longitudinal wall 22 of paint transfer roller element 21 is covered with a sheet 24 of smooth and substantially unyieldable material such as a suitable plastic or a hard rubber adapted to smoothly retain a coating of liquid paint. The length of the cylindrical wall 22 of paint transfer roller element 21 is slightly less than the distance between the spaced roller support elements 18, as shown in FIG. 2. A cylindrical stud 25 projects outwardly from the center of the outer surface of each end wall '23 of paint transfer element 21; studs 25 being preferably equal in length. The distance between the outermost end of one stud 25 and the outermost end of the other stud 25 is slightly less than the distance between the spaced end walls 16 of container 15. A ring element 26 formed preferably of a hard rubber or the like is snugly circumferentially disposed around paint transfer roller element 21 at a point near one end thereof, and another ring element 26 is likewise snugly circumferentially disposed around paint transfer roller element 21 at a point near the other end thereof.

Paint trans-fer roller element 21, which in diameter is somewhat less than half of the diameter of container end walls 16, is secured within the container by inserting each of the studs projecting from the end walls 23 thereof into a slot 19 of a roller support element 18, and then sliding the studs 25 therealong until each reaches the closed end of a slot 19, as shown in FIG. 4. It will now be noted that the thickness of each roller support element 18 is sufficient to assure bearing contact between the edge of its slot 19 and the cylindrical surface of the stud 25 inserted therein at all times during maximum longitudinal play of the paint transfer roller element 21 between the inner surfaces of the container end walls 16. The paint transfer roller element 21 thus mounted is obviously freely axially rotatable, and it penetrates deeply into the container 15, as shown in FIG. 3. The paint transfer roller element 21 may be readily removed from container 15 whenever desired by merely :moving the studs 25 back along the slots 19 and out of engagement therewith, inasmuch as gravity is normally the only force maintaining the paint transfer roller element 21 in engagement with the container 15 when paint applicator 11 is operably disposed as indicated in the drawing.

Paint applicator 11 also includes an elongated cylindrical paint applicator roller element, generally designated by the reference numeral 27, having a preferably metallic cylindrical longitudinal wall 28 closed at each end by a preferably metallic end wall 29, as shown in FIG. 3. The cylindrical wall 28 of paint applicator roller element 27 is covered with a paint absorbent, yieldable, layer of material 31, such as a deep pile fabric or the like, appreciably thicker than the difference between the outside and inside radii of the ring elements 26 carried by paint transfer roller element 21. The length of the cylindrical wall 28 of paint applicator roller element 27 issubstantially equal to the length of the cylindrical wall 22 of paint transfer roller element 21, and the cylindrical walls 28 and 22 are preferably about equal in diameter. A cylindrical stud 32 projects outwardly from the center of the outer surface of each end wall 29 of paint applicator roller element 27; studs 32 preferably being equal in length. The distance between the outermost end of one stud 32 and the outermost end of the other stud 32 is substantially equal to the distance between the outermost ends of the two studs 25 carried by the paint transfer roller element 21, as hereinbefore set forth.

With paint transfer roller element 21 secured within container 15 in the manner heretofore set forth, paint applicator roller element 27 is also secured partially Within the container 15 by inserting each of the studs 32 projecting from the end walls 29 thereof into a slot 19 of a roller support element 18, and then sliding the studs 32 therealong until the paint applicator roller element 27 comes into contact with the paint transfer roller element 21. The paint applicator roller element 27 thus is obviously freely axially rotatable within the confines of container 15, while a portion thereof projects beyond the edges of the end walls 16 of the container 15 for linear, substantially tangential contact with the planar surface being painted. The force of gravity thereafter normally maintains the paint applicator roller element 27 in this position partially within container 15 when paint applicator 11 is operably disposed as indicated in the drawing, but, when desired, paint applicator roller element 27 may readily be removed from container 15 by merely moving the studs 32 back along the slots 19 and out of engagement therewith.

When the paint applicator roller element 27 is rolled up and down on the planar surface being painted, the pressure therebetween forces the paint applicator roller element 27 into closer contact with the paint transfer roller element 21, causing the ring elements 26 carried by the paint transfer roller element 21 to penetrate into the yieldable layer of material 31 covering the cylindrical wall 28 of paint applicator roller element 27. The ring elements 26 are so proportioned with respect to the thickness and degree of yieldability of material 31 that under such circumstances the layer of material 31 comes lightly into only sufficient linear, tangential contact with the sheet material 24 covering the cylindrical wall 22 of paint transfer roller element 21 to assure the transfer of liquid paint coating the sheet of material 24 to the layer of material 31 when paint applicator roller element 27 and paint transfer roller element 21 revolve in opposite directions, while the heavy local application of pressure between the material 31 and ring elements 26 is sufficient to assure contrarotation of paint transfer roller element 21 with little or no slippage as paint applicator roller element 27 rotates. It will now be apparent that the ring elements 26, by preventing excessive operating contact between the paint applicator roller element 27 and the paint transfer roller element 21, minimize the tendency of these roller elements to stick together when coated with liquid paint products.

The container 15 is also provided with a tab element 33 projecting upwardly from a central section of the upper edge of the container longitudinal wall 17 intended to be disposed most remotely from the planar surface being painted; tab element 33 preferably being made integral with container longitudinal wall 17, as indicated in FIG. 3. Tab element 33 is provided with a circular bore formed completely therethrough having its centerline at about the elevation of the upper extremity of container end walls 16. Paint applicator 11 further includes an elongated, graspable handle member, generally designated by the reference numeral 34, circular in section and having a centrally disposed circular bore formed therethrough slightly smaller in diameter than the circular bore formed through tab element 33. One end of handle member 34 is disposed in abutting relation with the outer surface of tab element 33 with the axes of the bores formed therethrough in alignment; the length of handle member 34 thus disposed extending outwardly from the container 15 perpendicularly to a vertical plane passing through the center of each of the end walls 16 thereof. The outermost extremity of the graspable, tubular handle member 34 is interconnected for fluid communication with the extremity of flexible conduit 12 remote from reservoir 13. A short length 35 of handle member 34 adjacent tab element 33 and terminating at shoulder 36 is of enlarged diameter, increasing the bearing area between handle member 34 and tab element 33, and a length of the bore through handle member 34 adjacent tab element 33 carries internal screw threads 37.

Paint applicator 11 is also provided with a paint distribution element, generally designated by the reference numeral 38. Paint distribution element 38 includes a tubular, cylindrical shaft 39; one end of which carries external screw threads 41 adapted to engage the internal screw threads 37 carried by the circular bore of handle member 34. Paint distribution element 38 further includes a tubular, cylindrical shaft 42 closed at its ends by circular end walls 43, as illustrated in FIG. 3, which is connected at its longitudinal midpoint to the end of tubular shaft 39 remote from screw threads 41. The tubular shaft 42 is disposed substantially perpendicularly with respect to tubular shaft 39, and the hollow interiors thereof are in fluid communication. A plurality of spaced holes 44 are formed through the cylindrical wall of tubular shaft 42 at the edge thereof facing downwardly when the paint distribution element 38 is disposed as hereinafter set forth. A nut 45 is carried by the screw threads 41 of tubular shaft 39 of paint distribution element 38.

The end of the paint distribution element tubular shaft 39 carrying the external screw threads 41 passes through the circular bore formed through tab element 33 and is connected to the handle member 34 by the engagement of the external screw threads 41 carried thereon with the internal screw threads 37 carried by the bore formed through the handle member 34. With the paint distribution element tubular shaft 42 disposed parallelly to the longitudinal axes of paint transfer roller element 21 and paint applicator roller element 27, and the row of holes 44 formed through tubular shaft 42 spaced substantially above and facing the line of contact between the two roller elements, as shown in FIG. 3, the nut 45 is turned down the screw threads 41 carried by the paint distribution element tubular shaft 39 until a portion of the tab element 33 surrounding the bore formed therethrough is tightly clamped between the nut 45 and the end of handle member 34 abutting tab element 33. The handle member 34 and the paint distribution element 38 are thereby substantially rigidly interconnected with container 15 in the relationship hereinbefore set forth.

In use, paint applicator 11 is continuously supplied with liquid paint products flowing from the remotely situated paint reservoir 13 through the flexible conduit 12. The flow of paint into paint applicator 11 may be gravitationally established by placing paint reservoir 13 at a distance above the level of paint applicator 11, as indicated in FIG. 1. Since the difference in elevation between paint reservoir 13 and paint applicator 11 may vary to a considerable extent, the conventional valve 14 is operated to compensate for such variations in head in the maintenance of the flow of paint through flexible conduit 12 at a desired rate. As illustrated, valve 14 may be operated by a person stationed at the location of paint reservoir 13 but, if desired, valve 14 may alternatively be located at the lower rather than the upper extremity of flexible conduit 12 for operation by the person using the paint applicator 11. Obviously, the remotely situated paint reservoir 13 may also be situated below the working level of paint applicator 11, if desired, and then suitable conventional pump means would be utilized to establish a flow of paint products through the flexible conduit 12.

Liquid paint flowing through the flexible conduit 12 enters the paint applicator 11 through the graspable, tubular handle 34. The paint then flows into the tubular shaft 39 of paint distribution element 38, from which it passes into the tubular shaft 42 thereof, and then out through the holes 44. Paint dripping from the holes 44 falls onto the paint transfer element 21 at regular intervals along the length thereof in the vicinitry of the line of contact between the paint transfer element 21 and the paint applicator roller element 27, and subsequently contrarotation of the two roller elements distributes the paint fairly evenly over the surfaces thereof. Excessive paint collects in the bottom of the container 15 from which it may be subsequently picked up as a pool sufliciently deep to partially submerge the rotating paint transfer roller element 21 is formed. When the accumulation of excessive paint products in container 15 exceeds a desired level, the flow of paint into paint applicator 11 may be reduced until the excessive paint level is lowered.

Since the user of the paint applicator 1 will normally work on a planar surface being painted extending from about the level of his waist to a point somewhat higher than his head, the paint applicator 11 will operationally be held from about the horizontal position illustrated in the drawing to a position in which handle member 34 extends somewhat downwardly. The additional height of the longitudinal wall 17 of container 15 on the side thereof adjacent handle member 34 is thus adapted to prevent the overflow of paint from container 15 when paint applicator 11 is held in the latter position.

It will also be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the paint applicator 11 is so constructed that it may be easily disassembled after use to facilitate the cleaning thereof before it is laid aside.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in the light of the foregoing teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claim, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A paint applicator, comprising:

an operationally horizontally disposed upwardly open elongated container for liquid paint having a longitudinal wall and a pair of operationally vertical end walls disposed in spaced, parallel relation;

a graspable, tubular handle member interconnected with a substantially central section of an upper edge of said container longitudinal wall and projecting substantially horizontally outwardly from a side of said container;

a cylindrical paint transfer roller element having a smooth, substantially unyieldable cylindrical surface mounted for free axial rotation between the inner surfaces of said container end walls and extending deeply into said container, said cylindrical paint transfer roller element carrying a ring element circumferentially positioned therearound at a point near each end thereof;

a cylindrical paint applicator roller element having a paint absorbent, yieldable cylindrical surface mounted for free axial rotation between the inner surfaces of said container end walls and in substantially linear, tangential contact with said cylindrical paint transfer roller element, said ring elements preventing excessive contact between said substantially unyieldable paint transfer roller element cylindrical surface and said yieldable paint applicator roller element cylindrical surface, said cylindrical paint applicator roller element being disposed on a higher level than said cylindrical paint transfer roller element and partially projecting beyond the side of said container opposite the side thereof from which said graspable, tubular handle member projects;

a paint distribution element having a first tubular shaft member interconnected for fluid communication with the innermost end of said graspable, tubular handle member, and having a second tubular shaft member interconnected for fluid communication with said first tubular shaft member, said second tubular shaft member being disposed substantially above and substantially parallel to the line of contact between said paint transfer roller element and said paint applicator roller element, said second tubular shaft member being perforated at spaced intervals along the lower extremity thereof; and

a flexible conduit interconnected for fluid communication with the outermost end of said graspable, tubular handle member and extending therefrom for interconnection for fluid communication with a remotely disposed paint reservoir.

(References on following page) References Cited 3,212,121 10/1965 Munn l5573 UNITED STATES A N 3,263,263 8/ 1966 Munn 15---573 11/1950 Hobe 15573 5/1954 R0611 et a1. 15573 XR 5 FOREIGN PATENTS 2 195 Lussier 15 573 498,024 12/1953 Canada. 4/1962 Whitfield et a1. 15573 Crawford A- Pllmary Examiner.

7/ 1965 Karkut 15-573 R. I. SMITH, Examiner. 

